LI Towns Roll Out Plans As LIRR Strike Causes Travel Chaos

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — Suffolk County towns rolled out parking changes, commuter advisories and shuttle bus guidance Monday as the Long Island Rail Road strike disrupted travel for nearly 300,000 daily riders across the region, drawing reaction from residents affected.

LIRR service remains suspended due to the strike, which officially began at 12:01 a.m. Saturday after negotiations between the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and five railroad unions failed to produce a contract agreement.

The MTA warned commuters that the shutdown would likely create “severe congestion and delays” across Long Island and New York City.

“Unfortunately, there is no substitute for the Long Island Rail Road, and its shutdown will cause severe congestion and delays,” the MTA said in an advisory update Monday morning. “Avoid nonessential travel and work from home if possible.”

Commuters across Long Island took to social media Monday morning describing gridlock traffic, overcrowded parking lots, long shuttle lines and dramatically extended travel times.

“My husband is definitely not happy about driving in [the city] and back from West Islip five days a week if it comes to that,” resident Joanna Killian wrote on Patch’s Facebook page.

Not all commenters blamed union workers for the disruption. Some defended the strike and argued railroad employees deserve higher wages because of the risks associated with the job.

"Give the workers the raises and the contract for their hard work, not upper management," resident Denise Meslin wrote.
Another Long Island resident said the strike could dramatically increase already long commutes into New York City.

“Regardless of who’s at fault, its effecting hundreds of thousands of Long Islanders,” resident Claudia Worley wrote. “The traffic will be insane, and those of us coming from Suffolk have a much longer commute, turning 2 hours into likely 3 plus, on top of the workday. My husband will have to use his personal time because his day already starts at 5 a.m., and he isn't home until 5:30 pm with trains running.”

Huntington Station has been designated as one of six official shuttle bus hubs on Long Island, providing transportation to Queens subway stations during peak commuting hours.

According to town officials, shuttle buses will operate between Huntington Station and the Jamaica-179th Street F train station in Queens from 4:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. toward Manhattan and from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. returning to Long Island.

Town officials also announced temporary parking adjustments at the Huntington LIRR station during the strike.

The North and South parking garages will remain reserved for residents and commuter permit holders, while non-residents are being directed to use Parking Lot 22 off New York Avenue for $12 per day through the Passport Parking app.

Additional signage was also installed for rideshare and car service pickup and drop-off locations, officials said.

Babylon Village officials issued commuter advisories throughout the weekend, warning residents to expect major disruptions if the strike continued into Monday morning.

Mayor Mary Adams said Babylon commuters would not have direct shuttle bus service from the Babylon station, with the closest shuttle hub located in Bay Shore.

“Riders are encouraged to avoid nonessential travel and work from home if possible,” the village said in an update Sunday.

The Town of Islip also said it would temporarily suspend parking restrictions in Ronkonkoma and Bay Shore parking lots during the strike to help accommodate commuters seeking alternate transportation options.

Union members and supporters continued picketing outside Babylon station over the weekend, holding signs reading “TCU On Strike” and “Fair Wages Now” as negotiations remained stalled.

The strike involves approximately 3,500 workers from five Long Island Rail Road unions, including signalmen, machinists, electricians, clerks and locomotive engineers.

Union leaders have argued workers are seeking contracts that keep pace with inflation, while MTA officials say the unions’ demands could lead to fare hikes and increased costs for taxpayers.

Under the MTA’s contingency plan, limited shuttle bus service is operating weekdays only between six Long Island locations and Queens subway transfer points.

Shuttle routes currently include:

Huntington to Jamaica-179th Street

Ronkonkoma to Jamaica-179th Street

Bay Shore to Howard Beach-JFK Airport

Hicksville to Howard Beach-JFK Airport

Mineola to Howard Beach-JFK Airport

Hempstead Lake State Park to Howard Beach-JFK Airport

The buses are free, according to the MTA.

Officials warned, however, that shuttle buses and alternate transit systems could quickly reach capacity due to the volume of displaced riders.

The MTA also said it plans to issue prorated refunds to May monthly ticket holders for any business day impacted by the strike, pending board approval. Officials said additional details on how riders can apply for refunds are expected to be released later.

Negotiations between the MTA and union leadership are expected to continue.